9 November 2023
Imagine, no one in your family has experience in engineering, and you yourself have no technical education. And then you decide to make the switch to a technical career anyway. A decision that shows courage and perseverance. This is Kyra's inspiring story.
"As a child, I associated engineering with dirty hands and as something mainly done by men. I always thought it wasn't for me. I also come from a village where engineering was not really promoted," Kyra says. "In the end, at school I chose to study economics, culture and society. In hindsight, I regretted that because my heart wasn't in it."
Despite her initial choice of study, Kyra remained interested in engineering from within. "During my school years, when I had engineering classes, I actually found it very interesting. I also always had a fascination with physics and chemistry."
Turning point
The turning point came when Kyra could no longer ignore the fact that her interest in engineering remained deep inside. "Eventually I decided to go for a career in engineering, even though at that time I still had two left hands. I started looking into it by visiting open days, talking to people and looking around. I knew somewhere that I wanted to be an engineer, but after four years of completing another study, the switch felt quite big. So I started a work-and-learn programme, and AAE was one of the companies that came my way. That's how I started at AAE 10.5 years ago, as an trainee mechanic."
"My choice of engineering turned out to be the right one, and I did well. I worked four days a week and studied one day a week. I enjoyed it; I ended up completing my five-year degree in just three years. AAE gave me the space to combine working and learning, but also provided the necessary support. Within AAE, everyone took the time to guide me; no question was too much or too crazy. I was never ashamed to ask questions," Kyra says.
Kyra went even further in her development. "I ended up studying technical business administration, and I was also able to combine this well with my work at AAE. I carried out my graduation project for AAE, and some of my advice was actually implemented. That gave me a sense of appreciation and satisfaction, because you see that your work is actually making an impact."
Jack of all trades
Over the past 10.5 years, Kyra has made herself indispensable at AAE, going through almost all departments. "AAE has given me the opportunity to grow both vertically and horizontally. Especially in the beginning, I found it valuable that I was given the space to try out all sorts of things. One time I was in the measuring room, then I was turning and milling, and a few weeks later I was helping to build an electrical cabinet. I even worked in the Planning department for a while, but my heart was still in the clean room, so that's where I returned to."
And Kyra's efforts have not gone unnoticed. "Earning my degrees, especially my degree in mechatronics, was a special moment for me. But also winning the Ingenieur Noordhoff (junior) prize is something I look back on with pride."
Are you inspired by this story? Then consider joining AAE. Check out our vacancies and who knows, you might soon be making an impact in this technical world.
